Thursday, June 30, 2011

Health Headlines - June 30


Diet Sodas Help Cause Weight Gain: Study
Don't drink diet sodas if you're trying to lose weight.
A study that followed 474 diet soda drinkers, ages 65 to 74, for nearly 10 years found that their waists grew 70 percent or more than those who didn't drink the beverages,CBS News reported.
Another study in mice suggests that artificial sweeteners in diet sodas may trigger appetite but don't quench the appetite like regular sugars. In addition, artificial sweeteners may inhibit brain cells that make you feel full.
The studies were presented at a meeting of the American Diabetes Association.
-----
Black and Hispanic Kids Most Apt to be Hospitalized For Severe Asthma
Black and Hispanic children in the United States were much more likely than other children to be hospitalized for a severe asthma attack in 2007, says a federal government study.
For every 100,000 children ages 2 to 17 who were hospitalized for asthma attacks that year, 384 were black, 135 were Hispanic, 94 were white, and 78 were Asian and Pacific Islander, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
The study also said that poor children were twice as likely to be hospitalized than children from high-income families (231 vs. 102 per 100,000) and that boys were more likely to be hospitalized than girls (181 vs. 119).
Children ages 2 to 4 were more than six times more likely than children ages 15 to 17 to be hospitalized (310 vs. 50), and children in the Northeast had a higher rate of hospitalization than those in the West (196 vs. 102).
-----
Stealth Survey of Primary Doctors Cancelled
A plan to have "mystery shoppers" pose as patients to determine how difficult it is for Americans to get appointments with primary care doctors has been shelved by the Obama administration.
The goal of the project was to determine the extent of a shortage of primary care doctors, an issue that concerns healthy policy experts. The White House said the survey posed no threat to doctors' privacy, The New York Times reported.
The plan was heavily criticized by doctors and Republicans, but the government said this wasn't why the survey was cancelled. Instead, it was determined that now isn't the time to move ahead with the project.
"Politics did not play a role in the decision," said Health and Human Services spokesman Christian J. Stenrud, The Times reported.
-----
Breast Cancer Patients Argue For Avastin
The drug Avastin should lose its approval for treatment of advanced breast cancer because there is no evidence that it benefits patients, U.S. Food and Drug Administration staff said Tuesday on the first day of a two-day FDA hearing.
But about a dozen breast cancer patients urged the agency to change its mind about a decision made last December to revoke Avastin's approval for advanced breast cancer. The hearing is being held to give drug maker Genentech one last chance to convince the FDA to reverse that decision, The New York Times reported.
"Despite the potential side effects from Avastin, metastatic breast cancer has only one death," Priscilla Howard told the hearing committee. She said Avastin had controlled her cancer for 32 months. "I want every available weapon in my arsenal as I fight this devastating disease."
Avastin received accelerated approval for metastatic breast cancer in 2008, but none of the required follow-up studies have confirmed that Avastin is safe and effective, The Times reported.
"All we are asking for here is one trial that shows clinical benefit," said Dr. Richard Pazdur, head of the FDA's cancer drug division.
-----
Medtronic Bone Growth Product Research Misleading: Doctors
Research that led to the widespread use of a bone growth product called Infuse was misleading and biased, a group of spine specialists write in a series of reports published Tuesday in The Spine Journal.
The Medtronic product is used in about one-quarter of the estimated 432,000 spinal fusions performed in the United States each year, according to The New York Times.
But the journal articles charge that Infuse's benefits were exaggerated and its risks underplayed by researchers with financial links to Medtronic.
"It harms patients to have biased and corrupted research published," five doctors wrote in a companion editorial to the reports, The Times reported. "It harms patients to have unaccountable special interests permeate medical research."
-----
More Tylenol Recalled Due to Odor
Another Tylenol recall prompted by a musty moldy odor was announced Tuesday by Johnson & Johnson.
The recall by J&J's McNeil Consumer Healthcare unit involves one product lot of 60,912 bottles of Tylenol Extra Strength Caplets (225 count) that were made in February 2009 and distributed in the United States, the Associated Press reported.
There have been a small number of reports about the pills' odor, the company said.
Similar recalls in the past have been linked to trace amounts of a chemical called TBA, a byproduct of a chemical preservative sometimes used on shipping pallets, the AP reported.

Health Tips for June 30

Health Tip: Help Prevent Bloating

When your belly feels stretched and uncomfortably full, you've probably got a case of bloating.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine suggests how to prevent bloating:

  • Don't chew gum or drink carbonated beverages, particularly if they contain a lot of sorbitol or fructose.
  • Avoid gas-causing foods such as turnips, cabbage, beans, Brussels sprouts and lentils.
  • Eat your food slowly.
  • Don't smoke.
  • Treat constipation, but be careful with fiber supplements, which may worsen symptoms.

Health Tip: Should You Take Probiotics?

Probiotics are micro-organisms designed to help manage digestive health. Manufacturers are now including them in everything from yogurt to granola bars, the American Gastroenterological Association says.

While studies have shown that probiotics may help people with a host of digestive conditions, their benefit hasn't been proven in people with severely compromised immune systems, the association says.

On the other hand, probiotics may help treat people with:

  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
  • Diarrhea caused by infection with a virus, bacteria or parasite.
  • Diarrhea caused by taking antibiotics.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Avoid Picnic Illness

Picnic time! It’s not usually hungry bears we have to worry about when we dine outside. It’s our food.

Yes, while True Lemon is fresh, clean and safe no matter how long you tote it around in your basket, cooked foods can be the route for illness. Common bugs norovirus, Salmonella and E. coli can get around during preparation, grilling or serving. These tips will help make sure your family and friends keep coming back for more when you take it outdoors:

Keep it clean

  • Always wash hands before and after handling food.
  • Replace empty plates instead of adding fresh food to one that had food in it.
  • When taking food off the grill, don't put the cooked items on the same plate that held raw meat.
  • Try to find out if there will be drinking water at the picnic location. If not, bring water for cleaning or pack disposable towelettes or paper towels.

Temperature matters

  • Fresh and frozen raw meat, chicken and fish should be cooked thoroughly. Always use a meat thermometer to check proper temperatures. Grill raw chicken until the juices run clear and there is no pink. Hamburger should not be pink in the center.
  • Don’t partially grill extra meat to use later. Once you begin, cook until completely done to assure bacteria are destroyed.
  • Cook other foods ahead, so there will be lots of time to thoroughly chill them in shallow containers in the refrigerator.
  • Have coolers with ice or freeze packs to store meat, fish, eggs and salads. 40 degrees F is the goal. Pack foods right from the refrigerator into the coolers.
  • Pack raw meats, chicken, or seafood at the bottom of the cooler so they don’t drip on other foods. Pack cooler until it is full, since a full cooler will stay cold longer than one that’s partly full.
  • At your picnic, keep the cooler in the shade and keep the lid closed as much as possible. Refill the ice if it melts.
  • Keep foods cold outside the cooler by putting the dishes in bowls of ice.
  • If you plan on getting take-out like fried chicken, eat it within an hour of pick up.
  • Keep in mind that foods shouldn’t sit at room temperature for over two hours.

Transportation and Storage

  • Put the cooler inside your car and not in the hot trunk.
  • Use a different cooler for drinks so you won't keep opening the one with food.
  • Leftover cold foods kept in a cooler with has ice may be safe to save, unless the ice inside has melted.
  • So keep it clean, cold and fully cooked - and have fun out there!

Health Headlines - June 29


Giffords Makes First Public Appearance
In her first public appearance since being shot in the head Jan. 8, Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords appeared with husband Mark Kelly when he received the Spaceflight Medal Tuesday at Space Center Houston.
The medal is awarded to astronauts who return safely from their missions. Kelly commanded the Space Shuttle Endeavour on its last mission.
A crowd of hundreds gave Giffords, D-Ariz., a standing ovation when she entered the awards ceremony auditorium being pushed in a wheelchair. She smiled and waved to the crowd, ABC News reported.
Giffords held hands with her husband for most of the event and appeared to chat with people around her.
The congresswoman was released from TIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston on June 15 after what a hospital spokesman said was months of "clear, continuous improvement," ABC News reported.
-----
Secret Shoppers to Assess Primary Care: Report
A team of "mystery shoppers" will be used by the White House to assess how the increasing shortage of primary care doctors in the United States is affecting patients.
The team members will pose as patients, contact doctors' offices and request appointments to assess how difficult it is for people to get care when they require it, The New York Times reported.
But some doctors are upset that the secret shoppers won't identify themselves as working for the government.
"I don't like the idea of the government snooping," Dr. Raymond Scalettar, an internist in Washington, told The Times. "It's a pernicious practice, Big Brother tactics, which should be opposed."
-----
Menthol Cigarettes Health Report Due This Year: FDA
Preliminary findings from a report on the health effects of menthol cigarettes will be released sometime this year after it's reviewed by outside advisors, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says.
The agency is considering whether to ban sales of menthol and other flavored cigarettes under a 2009 law that gives the FDA regulatory authority over tobacco products,Bloomberg News reported.
In March, an outside panel of experts told the FDA that menthol cigarettes weren't proven to be more harmful, but taking them off the market would benefit public health partly because they attract new smokers.
Menthol tobacco products account for about 30 percent of U.S. cigarette sales, according to data gathered by Bloomberg Government.
-----
National Standards Needed for Blood Transfusions: U.S. Panel
Exessive and inappropriate use of blood transfusions is common in the United States and national standards are needed in order to conserve blood supplies, a federal government advisory committee says.
Blood banks welcomed the proposal from advisers to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
"Better patient care is what's being advocated here," says Dr. Richard Benjamin, chief medical officer of the Red Cross, the Associated Press reported. "If a transfusion is not necessary, all you can do is harm."
Between 1994 and 2008, blood use in the U.S. rose 40 percent, Benjamin told the HHS Advisory Committee on Blood Safety and Availability.
-----
California Teens May be Banned From Tanning Beds
California lawmakers are considering banning anyone younger than 18 from using tanning beds, even if a parent gives permission.
The proposed law has been approved by the Senate and will be reviewed Tuesday by the Assembly policy committee, the Associated Press reported.
Currently, teens younger than 14 in the state are not allowed to use tanning beds and older teens need parental permission. But parent signatures are often forged and tanning salons just look the other way, according to Sen. Ted Lieu, who proposed the stricter rules.
Lawmakers in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania are considering banning teens younger than 18 from using tanning beds, and bans for teens younger than 16 or 14 are being considered in two separate bills in Massachusetts, the AP reported.
Exposure to UV radiation from the sun or tanning beds can cause skin cancer, premature aging and eye damage, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The World Health Organization, American Academy of Dermatology and the American Medical Association all support bans on the use of sunbeds and lamps for teens younger than 18.
-----
New Campaign Offers Food Safety Reminders
Home cooks are being reminded about safe food handling methods in a new U.S. government campaign.
The television, print and social media ads that begin this week will urge people to clean off cooking surfaces and utensils, wash their hands, separate raw meats from other foods, and cook meat to the right temperature, the Associated Press reported.
"This is just a good reminder to make sure that in the rush of trying to get the meal on the table you don't forget one of these rules and put yourself at additional risk," Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said.
Each year, about 48 million Americans (one in six) are sickened by a foodborne illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of those 180,000 are hospitalized and 3,000 die, the AP reported.

Health Tips for June 29

Health Tip: Why Your Child Is Wetting the Bed

Bed wetting is common in young children who are learning to control the need to urinate during sleep.

The American Academy of Family Physicians says bed-wetting isn't from naughty behavior or laziness. According to the academy, there may be a medical problem behind the bed-wetting child's behavior, such as:

  • Having a family history of bed wetting.
  • Having difficulty waking from sleep.
  • Being under physical or emotional stress.
  • Having a urinary tract infection.
  • Experiencing slow development of the central nervous system.
  • Having a hormonal imbalance.
  • Having an abnormality that affects the spinal cord, the urethral valve in boys or the ureter in girls or boys.
  • Having a small bladder.

Reducing fluids before bed and having your child go to the bathroom when starting the bedtime routine (and again just before sleep) will often help reduce bed-wetting, the academy advises.

Health Tip: Help Prevent Bed Wetting

Many children wet the bed until age 5, and an occasional lapse among even older children is common, experts say.

The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse offers these suggestions to help prevent bed wetting:

  • Limit your child to one drink with dinner.
  • Don't let your child drink anything just before bed.
  • Don't give your child beverages that contain caffeine, which accelerates urine production.
  • Have your child use the bathroom immediately before bed.
  • Don't scold or punish your child for wetting the bed, and encourage dry nights with lots of praise.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Health Headlines - June 28


Supreme Court Strikes Down California Violent Video Game Law
A California law that would have banned sales of violent video games to children was struck down Monday by the U.S. Supreme Court in a 7-2 vote.
The ban, which had not taken effect, was opposed by video game makers and sellers, who said the industry's current voluntary rating system was sufficient for parents to judge the appropriateness of computer games for their children. California said the industry has failed to protect children from graphic interactive images and had a legal obligation to do so, CNN reported.
"As a means of assisting concerned parents it (the law) is seriously overinclusive because it abridges the First Amendment rights of young people whose parents (and aunts and uncles) think violent video games are a harmless pastime," wrote Justice Antonin Scalia for the majority.
The intent of California's law was viewed differently in a dissenting opinion by Justice Stephen Breyer.
"The First Amendment does not disable government from helping parents make such a choice here -- a choice not to have their children buy extremely violent, interactive games," Breyer wrote, CNN reported.
-----
Pain Tablets Recalled Due to Label Error
A labeling error has prompted the recall of certain lots of butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine tablets and hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen distributed by Qualitest Pharmaceuticals.
The recalled bottles of pain drugs may contain incorrect tablets and could cause harm to patients, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The recall involves the following products:
  • Butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine tablets, USP, 50mg/325mg/40mg, NDC 0603-2544-28 500 count, lot numbers C0390909A, C0400909A, C0410909A, C0590909B.
  • Hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen tablets, USP 7.5mg/500mg, NDC 0603-3882-32, 1000 count, lot numbers C0390909A, C0400909A, C0410909A, C0590909B.
Lot numbers are located on the side of the bottle. The recalled lots were distributed between Nov. 13, 2009, and April 9, 2010, to wholesale and retail pharmacies across the United States, the FDA said.
-----
Sprouts Linked to Salmonella Cases
Consumers should not eat alfalfa sprouts or spicy sprouts from plastic bags labeled "Evergreen Produce" or "Evergreen Produce Inc.", the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned Monday.
The sprouts may be linked to 20 reported cases of illness from salmonella infection in Idaho, Montana, New Jersey, North Dakota and Washington state. One person had to be hospitalized.
Retailers and consumers who have these sprouts should discard them in a sealed container so that people, pets and wild animals cannot eat them, the FDA advised.
Those most likely to suffer severe illness from salmonella infection include infants, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.
-----
Six States Ban Abortion After 20th Week of Pregnancy
Alabama this month became the sixth state in little more than a year to pass a law that bans abortions at the 20th week after conception, based on the premise that the fetus can feel pain at that point.
Not only is that theory disputed by major medical groups in the United States, the new abortion laws also challenge a major Supreme Court benchmark -- that abortion cannot be banned until the fetus becomes viable, The New York Times reported.
Viability is defined as the ability to survive outside the womb and usually occurs at the 24th week of pregnancy, according to Elizabeth Nash, a policy analyst with the research group the Guttmacher Institute.
Nebraska passed the first 20-week limit last year and has been followed by Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Oklahoma and Alabama. A similar law is moving through the Iowa legislature, The Times reported.
-----
Drug Maker Wants Another Chance to Prove Avastin Is Effective
At a hearing this week, Genentech will ask the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to be given one more opportunity to prove that the drug Avastin is an effective breast cancer treatment.
Last December, the FDA proposed to revoke its approval of Avastin for breast cancer on the grounds that new studies did not confirm the drug helped patients with the disease,The New York Times reported.
Genentech says even if data that does not support Avastin's effectiveness is reaffirmed, the FDA should retain the drug's approval while the drug maker conducts one more clinical trial.
The FDA approved Avastin under an accelerated program that permits drugs for serious conditions to be approved with less than the usual amount of evidence, subject to further clinical trials. Dozens of drugs have made it to market this way, but at least a couple have later been withdrawn, The Times reported.
-----
Genome Editing Cures Hemophilia in Mice
Scientists were able to cure hemophilia in mice by using a new technique for editing the genome of living cells.
In this method, a couple of injections are used to achieve the "cut" and "paste" procedures required to insert a corrective gene. It's the first time a genome-editing technique has succeeded in a live animal, The New York Times reported.
This approach, described in the journal Nature, could be used to treat a number of conditions and might give a much-needed boost to the field of gene therapy.
"This may well revolutionize the field, but it won't do so overnight," said research team leader Dr. Katherine A. High of the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. "Any novel kind of therapeutic takes time to develop."
-----
Slim Gene Linked to Dangerous Fat
Genes that help keep people slim are associated with dangerous fat that increases the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease, according to U.K. researchers.
They examined the genes of more than 76,000 people and found that variants of the IRS1 gene reduce fat under the skin, but not the more dangerous visceral fat that can form around the heart, liver and other organs, BBC News reported.
"We've uncovered a truly fascinating genetic story and when we found the effect of this gene we were very intrigued," lead researcher Dr. Ruth Loos said. "It is not only overweight individuals who can be predisposed for these metabolic diseases, and lean individuals shouldn't make assumptions that they are healthy based on their appearance."
The study, published in the journal Nature Genetics, could help explain "why 20 percent of people with type 2 diabetes have the condition despite being a healthy weight," Dr. Iain Frame, director of research at Diabetes UK, told BBC News.

Health Tips for June 28

Health Tip: Reduce Infection Risk After Ear Piercing

Newly pierced ears can be prime candidates for infection, but proper care can help reduce the risk.

The American Academy of Pediatricians offers these suggestions:

  • Make sure an experienced technician, nurse or doctor performs the procedure, and that a disinfectant is applied to the ears before piercing.
  • After the procedure, gently cleanse the ears with rubbing alcohol two to three times a day.
  • Apply antibiotic ointment after each cleaning.
  • Carefully turn the earring posts each day.
  • Do not remove the earrings for at least six weeks.

Health Tip: Prevent Swimmer's Ear

Swimmer's ear occurs when water builds up in the ear, causing an infection of the outer ear canal. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, redness and draining pus.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests how to help prevent swimmer's ear:

  • Keep water out of your ears while swimming by using ear plugs or a bathing cap.
  • Thoroughly dry your ears when you're finished swimming. Tilt your head in each direction, pull gently on your earlobe and pat dry with a towel.
  • Never insert anything (such as a finger or cotton swab) into the ear.
  • Use a blow-dryer on its lowest setting to completely dry your ears.
  • Don't try to remove any ear wax yourself. Seek the help of a physician.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Health Headlines - June 27


Arizona Death May Be Linked to Europe's E. Coli Outbreak
There may be a link between the death of an Arizona man and the large E. coli outbreak in Europe, according to health officials.
The man, who was over 65 and recently visited Germany, developed a serious E. coli complication that can lead to kidney failure and died in mid-June. It's not clear yet whether he was sickened by the same E. coli strain that has caused nearly 4,00 illnesses and 43 deaths in Germany and one death in Sweden, the Associated Press reported.
If that strain is confirmed to have caused the man's death, it would be the first U.S. death and the sixth U.S. case linked to the European outbreak, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The five confirmed cases in the United States have included two in Michigan and one each in Massachusetts, Wisconsin and North Carolina. All but one of the patients had recently been to Germany and one person in Michigan caught the illness from a relative, the AP reported.
-----
Colorado Halts Circumcision Funding
Colorado has joined 17 other states that no longer fund Medicaid coverage of circumcision for newborn boys.
The change, which takes effect July 1, is part of the effort to deal with the state's massive budget shortfall, which was estimated to be $1 billion at the start of the year. Doing away with funding for circumcisions under Medicaid will save Colorado $186,500 a year, the Associated Press reported.
"We were just looking at virtually every option and trying to decide what was absolutely urgent now," budget committee member Republican Sen. Kent Lambert said.
About 75 percent of baby boys in the United States undergo nonreligious circumcision, compared to 30 percent in the rest of the world, according to the World Health Organization, the AP reported.
-----
Low-Calorie Diet Reverses Diabetes: Study
An eight-week diet of just 600 calories a day reversed type 2 diabetes in people newly diagnosed with the disease, according to a new study.
The extremely low-calorie diet reduced fat levels in the pancreas and liver, which helped restore normal insulin production, said the researchers at Newcastle University in Great Britain, BBC News reported.
Seven of the 11 people who went on the diet were diabetes-free three months later, according to the study in the journal Diabetologia.
While the results are impressive, lead author Professor Roy Taylor doesn't suggest people follow the diet, BBC News reported.
"This diet was only used to test the hypothesis that if people lose substantial weight they will lose their diabetes," Taylor said. "Although this study involved people diagnosed with diabetes within the last four years, there is potential for people with longer-standing diabetes to turn things around too."

Health Tips for June 27

Health Tip: Overexposed to the Sun

Too much exposure to the sun and its ultraviolet rays can lead to skin cancer, eye damage and other health problems.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says UV rays can:

  • Lead to different types of skin cancer, including the most serious, melanoma.
  • Cause what looks like early aging and other changes in the skin's appearance.
  • Damage the eyes, including causing cataracts.
  • Suppress the immune system, resulting in reduced ability to fight off illness.

Health Tip: Protect Newborns From the Sun

A newborn's sensitive skin is particularly vulnerable to sunburn, so parents should be extra cautious.

The American Academy of Pediatrics offers these suggestions to prevent sunburn in babies less than six months:

  • Avoid sun exposure as much as possible.
  • Dress baby in a lightweight, long-sleeved top and long pants.
  • Put baby in a wide-brimmed hat to shield the face.
  • If you can't keep baby out of the sun, apply a small bit of sunscreen to the face and the backs of baby's hands.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Health Headlines - June 26


Arizona Death May Be Linked to Europe's E. Coli Outbreak
There may be a link between the death of an Arizona man and the large E. coli outbreak in Europe, according to health officials.
The man, who was over 65 and recently visited Germany, developed a serious E. coli complication that can lead to kidney failure and died in mid-June. It's not clear yet whether he was sickened by the same E. coli strain that has caused nearly 4,00 illnesses and 43 deaths in Germany and one death in Sweden, the Associated Press reported.
If that strain is confirmed to have caused the man's death, it would be the first U.S. death and the sixth U.S. case linked to the European outbreak, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The five confirmed cases in the United States have included two in Michigan and one each in Massachusetts, Wisconsin and North Carolina. All but one of the patients had recently been to Germany and one person in Michigan caught the illness from a relative, the AP reported.
-----
Colorado Halts Circumcision Funding
Colorado has joined 17 other states that no longer fund Medicaid coverage of circumcision for newborn boys.
The change, which takes effect July 1, is part of the effort to deal with the state's massive budget shortfall, which was estimated to be $1 billion at the start of the year. Doing away with funding for circumcisions under Medicaid will save Colorado $186,500 a year, the Associated Press reported.
"We were just looking at virtually every option and trying to decide what was absolutely urgent now," budget committee member Republican Sen. Kent Lambert said.
About 75 percent of baby boys in the United States undergo nonreligious circumcision, compared to 30 percent in the rest of the world, according to the World Health Organization, the AP reported.
-----
Low-Calorie Diet Reverses Diabetes: Study
An eight-week diet of just 600 calories a day reversed type 2 diabetes in people newly diagnosed with the disease, according to a new study.
The extremely low-calorie diet reduced fat levels in the pancreas and liver, which helped restore normal insulin production, said the researchers at Newcastle University in Great Britain, BBC News reported.
Seven of the 11 people who went on the diet were diabetes-free three months later, according to the study in the journal Diabetologia.
While the results are impressive, lead author Professor Roy Taylor doesn't suggest people follow the diet, BBC News reported.
"This diet was only used to test the hypothesis that if people lose substantial weight they will lose their diabetes," Taylor said. "Although this study involved people diagnosed with diabetes within the last four years, there is potential for people with longer-standing diabetes to turn things around too."

Health Tips for June 26

Health Tip: Control Blood Pressure Before Pregnancy

If you have high blood pressure, it's important to get it under control before you become pregnant. High blood pressure during pregnancy can be dangerous for both mom and baby.

The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists offers these suggestions to help control blood pressure before and during pregnancy:

  • Devise a plan with your doctor to bring high blood pressure under control.
  • Before pregnancy, stick to a healthy diet, get enough exercise and lose any extra weight.
  • Take any blood pressure medications as prescribed before pregnancy.
  • Check with your doctor to make sure your medications are safe to continue while you're pregnant.
  • Schedule frequent doctor appointments during pregnancy to monitor your blood pressure.
  • Let your doctor know if you have any form of kidney disease.
  • Let your doctor know immediately if you notice signs of preeclampsia, a surge in blood pressure during pregnancy.

Health Tip: Symptoms That May Indicate Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia occurs when a pregnant woman's blood pressure spikes rapidly. It can lead to stroke, organ failure and other life-threatening conditions in both the mother and baby.

The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says possible warning signs of preeclampsia include:

  • Headaches.
  • Vision abnormalities.
  • Quickly gaining weight.
  • Swollen face and hands.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Health Headlines - June 25


Arizona Death May Be Linked to Europe's E. Coli Outbreak
There may be a link between the death of an Arizona man and the large E. coli outbreak in Europe, according to health officials.
The man, who was over 65 and recently visited Germany, developed a serious E. coli complication that can lead to kidney failure and died in mid-June. It's not clear yet whether he was sickened by the same E. coli strain that has caused nearly 4,00 illnesses and 43 deaths in Germany and one death in Sweden, the Associated Press reported.
If that strain is confirmed to have caused the man's death, it would be the first U.S. death and the sixth U.S. case linked to the European outbreak, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The five confirmed cases in the United States have included two in Michigan and one each in Massachusetts, Wisconsin and North Carolina. All but one of the patients had recently been to Germany and one person in Michigan caught the illness from a relative, the AP reported.
-----
Colorado Halts Circumcision Funding
Colorado has joined 17 other states that no longer fund Medicaid coverage of circumcision for newborn boys.
The change, which takes effect July 1, is part of the effort to deal with the state's massive budget shortfall, which was estimated to be $1 billion at the start of the year. Doing away with funding for circumcisions under Medicaid will save Colorado $186,500 a year, the Associated Press reported.
"We were just looking at virtually every option and trying to decide what was absolutely urgent now," budget committee member Republican Sen. Kent Lambert said.
About 75 percent of baby boys in the United States undergo nonreligious circumcision, compared to 30 percent in the rest of the world, according to the World Health Organization, the AP reported.
-----
Low-Calorie Diet Reverses Diabetes: Study
An eight-week diet of just 600 calories a day reversed type 2 diabetes in people newly diagnosed with the disease, according to a new study.
The extremely low-calorie diet reduced fat levels in the pancreas and liver, which helped restore normal insulin production, said the researchers at Newcastle University in Great Britain, BBC News reported.
Seven of the 11 people who went on the diet were diabetes-free three months later, according to the study in the journal Diabetologia.
While the results are impressive, lead author Professor Roy Taylor doesn't suggest people follow the diet, BBC News reported.
"This diet was only used to test the hypothesis that if people lose substantial weight they will lose their diabetes," Taylor said. "Although this study involved people diagnosed with diabetes within the last four years, there is potential for people with longer-standing diabetes to turn things around too."

Health Tips for June 25

Health Tip: Sunburn Usually Damages Skin

While there's no such thing as a safe sunburn or tan, some cases can damage the skin permanently.

Sunburn occurs when sunlight or another ultraviolet-light source exceeds the ability of the pigment melanin to protect the skin.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine mentions these warning signs of a serious sunburn:

  • Feeling dizzy or faint.
  • Rapid breathing or pulse.
  • Extreme thirst, a sunken look to the eyes or not producing urine.
  • Skin that feels cool or clammy, or appears pale.
  • Rash, fever, chills or nausea.
  • Pain in the eyes or sensitivity to light.
  • Painful blisters.

Health Tip: Factors That Contribute to Skin Cancer

People who have had severe blistering sunburns or frequent exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays are at greater risk of developing skin cancer, the U.S. National Cancer Institute reminds us.

Here the agency's list of additional factors that increase your risk of getting the disease:

  • Using tanning beds on a regular basis.
  • Having had skin cancer before.
  • Having a close family member with a history of skin cancer.
  • Having fair skin that burns easily.
  • Taking medication that increases sensitivity to sunlight.
  • Having a medical condition that compromises the immune system, or taking a medication that suppresses the immune system.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Health Headlines - June 24


Whooping Cough Vaccination Recommended for Pregnant Women
Pregnant women who were not previously vaccinated against whooping cough should get the vaccination, the U.S. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends.
The vaccine would be given in the third trimester or late second trimester, the Associated Press reported.
The recommendation was approved by the advisory panel on Wednesday.
Currently, children in the U.S. begin a series of whooping cough shots at two months and most infant deaths and hospitalizations caused by whooping cough occur in the first two months of life. Some studies have found that when a pregnant woman is vaccinated against whooping cough, she passes some immunity to her newborn, the AP reported.
-----
New Wrinkle Treatment Approved by FDA
A new therapy that uses a person's own skin cells to create an injectable substance to smooth out laugh lines has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The approval of laViv, marketed by Pennsylvania-based Fibrocell Science, was based on the results of two clinical trials of 421 patients who received either laViv or a placebo in three treatments about five weeks apart, Agence France Presse reported.
In one study, 57 percent of patients who received laViv saw an improvement compared to 30 percent of those in the placebo group. In the other study, 45 percent of patients in the laViv group saw an improvement compared with 18 percent in the placebo group, according to The New York TimesAFP reported.
But improvements among patients receiving laViv were seen by only 33 percent of doctors involved in one study and 19 percent of doctors in the other study.
Redness, pain, and swelling or bruising at the injection site were the most common side effects, according to Fibrocell, AFP reported.
-----
Gel Fuel for Patio Firepots Recalled
Reports of burn injuries have prompted the recall of nearly half a million bottles and jugs of gel fuel used in patio firepots, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says.
The recall covers 460,000 bottles and jugs of pourable gel fuel distributed by Napa Home & Garden of Georgia and sold at a number of stores, including Restoration Hardware and Bed Bath & Beyond, the Associated Press reported.
When poured on a firepot that is still burning, the gel fuel can ignite unexpectedly and splatter onto people who are nearby, the CPSC said.
The commission said Napa has so far heard about 23 burn injuries caused by the gel fuel, the AP reported.
-----
Glen Campbell Has Alzheimer's Disease
Singer Glen Campbell says he has Alzheimer's disease.
The 75-year-old Grammy winner revealed the news in an interview with Peoplemagazine. Campbell has suffered from short-term memory loss for years but was diagnosed with Alzheimer's only six months ago.
Campbell and his wife Kim decided to go public with the diagnosis because he's planned a series of farewell performances this fall and wants his fans to know about his condition.
"Glen is still an awesome guitar player and singer," Kim Campbell told People. "But if he flubs a lyric or gets confused on stage, I wouldn't want people to think, 'What's the matter with him? Is he drunk?' "
"I still love making music," Campbell said. "And I still love performing for my fans. I'd like to thank them for sticking with me through thick and thin."
-----
Many Americans Spend More Than 10% of Income on Health Costs
About 1 in 6 Americans aged 18 to 64 used more than 10 percent of their total family income in 2007 to cover out-of-pocket medical expenses and to pay for health insurance premiums, according to a federal government report.
This included 47 percent of those who pay for their own health coverage, and 16 percent of those with employer-sponsored insurance (16 percent) or public insurance (16 percent), according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
It also included:
  • 29 percent of unemployed adults and 13 percent of working adults.
  • 30 percent of poor people, 19 percent of middle-income earners, and 7 percent of those with high incomes.
  • 21 percent of rural residents and 15 percent of people in metropolitan areas.
  • 35 percent and 32 percent of adults with complex or basic activity limitations, respectively, and 15 percent of adults with no activity limitations.
-----
Infuse Bone Graft Studies Focus of Senate Investigation
Researchers who conducted clinical trials of the bone-growth protein product Infuse Bone Graft failed to report numerous complications associated with the product and the Senate Finance Committee wants to know why.
Over the past decade, the authors of the dozen research papers collectively received tens of millions of dollars in consulting fees or royalty payments from Medtronic Inc., which markets Infuse Bone Graft, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Infuse Bone Graft, which is widely used in spinal surgery, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2002. But the FDA issued a safety alert in 2008 about the use of the product in the neck after it received dozens of reports of serious side effects.
A new study to be published in a medical journal outlines the many complications associated with Infuse Bone Graft. The study helped trigger the Senate inquiry, the newspaper reported.
In an emailed statement to the Wall Street Journal, Medtronic said it informs the FDA about all adverse events that occur in clinical trials of its products "irrespective of any financial relationship between the company and the clinical investigator or study author."

Health Tips for June 24

Health Tip: Why You Have Gallstones

Gallstones are deposits that develop in the gallbladder from sources such as excess bilirubin or cholesterol.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine says there's no surefire way to prevent gallstones, and that they're more likely to develop among women, Native Americans, other ethnic groups and people older than 40.

The agency mentions these additional risk factors for gallstones:

  • Having a family history of gallstones.
  • Having issues with the gallbladder, which are more common during pregnancy.
  • Producing too much bilirubin, a bile pigment that's created when older or damaged red blood cells are broken down by the body.
  • Having an infection of the biliary tract or cirrhosis of the liver.
  • Being diabetic.
  • Having had an organ or bone marrow transplant.
  • Losing weight very quickly by consuming very few calories.
  • Receiving intravenous feedings for a long period.

Health Tip: Calm a Colicky Baby

Babies that cry frequently for hours at a time and are fussy for reasons you or your doctor can't explain may have colic.

While doctors don't know what causes colic, and there is no known cure, the Nemours Foundation offers these suggestions to help calm a colicky baby:

  • Walk with baby, rock in a chair or try other positions to see if any of them make baby happy.
  • Burp baby frequently during feedings.
  • Place baby across your lap, belly-down, and rub baby's back.
  • Place baby in a swing or seat that vibrates, or put baby in an infant carrier and go for a ride in the car.
  • Play soothing music.
  • Run the vacuum cleaner, hair dryer, clothes dryer or white noise device to see if this calms your baby.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Health Headlines - June 23


Glen Campbell Has Alzheimer's Disease
Singer Glen Campbell says he has Alzheimer's disease.
The 75-year-old Grammy winner revealed the news in an interview with Peoplemagazine. Campbell has suffered from short-term memory loss for years but was diagnosed with Alzheimer's only six months ago.
Campbell and his wife Kim decided to go public with the diagnosis because he's planned a series of farewell performances this fall and wants his fans to know about his condition.
"Glen is still an awesome guitar player and singer," Kim Campbell told People. "But if he flubs a lyric or gets confused on stage, I wouldn't want people to think, 'What's the matter with him? Is he drunk?' "
"I still love making music," Campbell said. "And I still love performing for my fans. I'd like to thank them for sticking with me through thick and thin."
-----
Many Americans Spend More Than 10% of Income on Health Costs
About 1 in 6 Americans aged 18 to 64 used more than 10 percent of their total family income in 2007 to cover out-of-pocket medical expenses and to pay for health insurance premiums, according to a federal government report.
This included 47 percent of those who pay for their own health coverage, and 16 percent of those with employer-sponsored insurance (16 percent) or public insurance (16 percent), according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
It also included:
  • 29 percent of unemployed adults and 13 percent of working adults.
  • 30 percent of poor people, 19 percent of middle-income earners, and 7 percent of those with high incomes.
  • 21 percent of rural residents and 15 percent of people in metropolitan areas.
  • 35 percent and 32 percent of adults with complex or basic activity limitations, respectively, and 15 percent of adults with no activity limitations.
-----
Infuse Bone Graft Studies Focus of Senate Investigation
Researchers who conducted clinical trials of the bone-growth protein product Infuse Bone Graft failed to report numerous complications associated with the product and the Senate Finance Committee wants to know why.
Over the past decade, the authors of the dozen research papers collectively received tens of millions of dollars in consulting fees or royalty payments from Medtronic Inc., which markets Infuse Bone Graft, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Infuse Bone Graft, which is widely used in spinal surgery, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2002. But the FDA issued a safety alert in 2008 about the use of the product in the neck after it received dozens of reports of serious side effects.
A new study to be published in a medical journal outlines the many complications associated with Infuse Bone Graft. The study helped trigger the Senate inquiry, the newspaper reported.
In an emailed statement to the Wall Street Journal, Medtronic said it informs the FDA about all adverse events that occur in clinical trials of its products "irrespective of any financial relationship between the company and the clinical investigator or study author."
-----
Under Health Law, Some in Middle Class May Qualify for Medicaid
Millions of middle-class Americans who retire early could get Medicaid under the new health care law, according to federal officials.
Under the law, up to 3 million more people could qualify for Medicaid in 2014 because most of their Social Security benefits would no longer be counted as income for determining eligibility for the health insurance program meant for the poor, theAssociated Press reported.
For example, a married couple with a total annual income of about $64,000 could get Medicaid.
"I don't generally comment on the pros and cons of policy, but that just doesn't make sense," Medicare chief actuary Richard Foster said at a recent professional society meeting, the AP reported.
The situation is due to the effort to simplify rules for determining who is eligible for Medicaid, say White House officials and senior Democratic lawmakers.
"This simplification will stop people from falling into coverage gaps and may cause some to be newly eligible for Medicaid and others to no longer qualify," Brian Cook, spokesman for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, told the AP.
-----
Birth Defects More Common in Mountaintop Mining Counties: Study
Children born in mountaintop coal-mining counties in Appalachia are 26 percent more likely to have birth defect than those born in non-mining regions, a new study finds.
Previous research has linked mountaintop coal mining -- where the tops of elevations are blasted off in order to expose coal seams -- to air and water pollution, USA Todayreported.
For this new study, researchers examined 1.8 million births in West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia between 1996 and 2003. Rates of birth defects were 235 per 10,000 live births in mountaintop mining areas vs. 144 per 10,000 live births in non-mining areas.
After adjusting for other factors such as poverty, smoking, drinking, race and mother's education, the researchers concluded that the risk of birth defects was 26 percent higher in mountaintop mining communities, USA Today reported.
The study appears in the journal Environmental Research.
-----
Models' Altered Photos in Ads Harm Kids: AMA
The use of software-altered photographs of models in advertisements can give children and teens unrealistic expectations of body image and guidelines are needed to control the practice, a new American Medical Association policy says.
The guidelines should be developed by advertising groups working with public and private sector organizations involved in child and teen health, the AMA says.
"The appearance of advertisements with extremely altered models can create unrealistic expectations of appropriate body image. In one image, a model's waist was slimmed so severely, her head appeared to be wider than her waist," AMA Board Member Dr. Barbara L. McAneny said in an AMA news release. "We must stop exposing impressionable children and teenagers to advertisements portraying models with body types only attainable with the help of photo editing software."
The policy was passed Tuesday at the AMA's annual meeting.
-----
Fake Fat Makes Rats Gain Weight: Study
You'll gain weight, not lose it, if you eat products that contain the calorie- and fat-free fat substitute Olean, according to a new study.
Rats that were fed Olean-containing potato chips as part of a high-fat diet ate more overall and gained more weight than rats that ate regular potato chips as part of a high-fat diet, Purdue University researchers found, ABC News reported.
The study was published this week in the journal Behavioral Neuroscience.
"Fat substitutes can interfere with the body's ability to regulate what it eats, and that can result in overeating," explained lead author and psychology professor Susan Swithers, ABC News reported.
In addition, weight gain may occur due to fake fats' disruption of the body's ability to digest and metabolize food, researchers say.